◽️ Save the Date: May 20th, 6pm
◽ Venue: West Auditorium, Downingtown Area School District
We are honored to welcome Ruth Kapp Hartz to the Downingtown Area School District on May 20th at 6pm in the West Auditorium. Ruth's journey is one of resilience, courage, and hope, and her story is one that will undoubtedly inspire and educate all who hear it.
Ruth Kapp Hartz's early years were marked by the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust. As a four-year-old hidden child in southern France, Ruth had to assume the identity of "Renee" to conceal her Jewish heritage from the occupying forces. Sheltered by an ordinary French farm family and later taking refuge in a small Catholic convent, Ruth faced constant danger as informants threatened to reveal the presence of Jewish children to the authorities.
At the convent, Ruth's fate rested in the hands of the Mother Superior, who bravely deceived the Vichy French Police and the Gestapo to protect Ruth and other hidden children. Only the Mother Superior knew the truth, while the other nuns believed the children to be orphans. Ruth vividly recalls the moments of peril, hiding in the chapel's trap door as the hunted sought their capture, and the sanctuary provided by the convent's blue windows, shielding them from prying eyes.
Despite the harrowing circumstances, Ruth's family miraculously survived the war and returned to Paris. Ruth's resilience and determination led her to pursue higher education, eventually earning a degree in Biochemistry from Sorbonne University. In 1958, she embarked on a new chapter in the United States, where she built a life, raised a family, and dedicated herself to education.
For 22 years, Ruth served as a teacher of French language, literature, and culture at the Springside School in Philadelphia, leaving an indelible mark on countless students' lives.
Join us on May 20th at 6pm as Ruth Kapp Hartz shares her remarkable journey of survival, resilience, and the enduring power of hope. This event promises to be a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder of the importance of bearing witness to history.
Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to hear Ruth's story firsthand. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend. Mark your calendars and spread the word. We look forward to seeing you there!